Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what plans her Department has to increase funding for (a) road maintenance and (b) pothole repairs in Twickenham.
Answered by Lilian Greenwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government has already provided an additional £500 million increase for local highway maintenance this financial year. As a result of this increase, Richmond upon Thames will receive up to £664,000 in additional funding.
Building on this, at the spending review the Chancellor announced that the Government will be providing £24 billion of capital funding between 2026-27 and 2029-30 to maintain and improve motorways and local roads across the country. This funding increase will allow National Highways and local authorities to invest in significantly improving the long-term condition of England’s road network, delivering faster, safer and more reliable journeys.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if he will make an assessment of the potential implications for his policies of the New Economic Foundation's publication entitled Flying Fair: Modernising the air transport tax system, published in June 2025.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
Aviation taxation is a matter for the Treasury. The Chancellor announced changes to Aviation Passenger Duty (APD) in the October 2024 Budget to ensure the aviation industry continues to contribute its fair share to public finances. The Treasury also recently consulted on their proposal to extend the scope of the higher rate of APD to all private jets.
The rates of APD are the highest in Europe for a tax of its kind, and the revenue raised funds government priorities, including tackling climate change. More widely, the aviation sector is important for the whole of the UK economy in terms of connectivity, direct economic activity, trade, investment and jobs.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to improve the affordability of rail fares in (a) Twickenham constituency and (b) London.
Answered by Simon Lightwood - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
We are overhauling the fares and ticketing system to make it easier for passengers to trust that they are buying the right ticket and getting the best fare, with the move to Great British Railways passengers will be able to receive a more consistent offer across the network. We need to balance affordability for both passengers and taxpayers as we reform fares and deliver Great British Railways, ensuring everyone gets a fair deal.
Transport in London is devolved to the Mayor of London and Transport for London (TfL) – this includes responsibility for setting fares on TfL services. We know the success of the London transport network is critical for both the capital and the UK’s economy, which is why in the spending review TfL received a four-year settlement of £2.2 billion.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, how many civil servants are working on Heathrow expansion.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Chancellor announced on 29 January that the government supports expansion that is in line with our legal, environmental and climate obligations and has invited proposals for a third runway at Heathrow Airport, to be brought forward by the summer.
As the lead Department supporting this key priority, we are working with colleagues across government to ensure appropriate resource to support the successful delivery of this work.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, when she will publish the Aviation Night Noise Effects report.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Aviation Night Noise Effects study is expected to conclude later this year and we intend to publish the report as soon as possible once it has been reviewed.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps her Department is taking to ensure that plans for Heathrow’s expansion do not result in increased costs for passengers.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
It is important to the Department that airport expansion is delivered in a way which ensures minimal cost to the consumer.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) determines the specific regulatory model for Heathrow independently of Government. The CAA’s primary duty in setting the price cap at Heathrow is to protect consumers’ interests.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if her Department will make an assessment of the adequacy of Heathrow Airport's regulatory framework.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) determines the specific regulatory model for Heathrow independently of Government. The CAA’s primary duty in setting the price cap at Heathrow is to protect consumers’ interests. Officials are working closely with the CAA to better understand the various positions on the right regulatory framework to facilitate expansion.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, if she will make it her policy to undertake a comprehensive review of Heathrow’s economic regulation before a final decision on a third runway is made.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
It is important to the Department that airport expansion is delivered in a way which ensures minimal cost to the consumer.
The Civil Aviation Authority (CAA) determines the specific regulatory model for Heathrow independently of Government. The CAA’s primary duty in setting the price cap at Heathrow is to protect consumers’ interests. Officials are working closely with the CAA to better understand the various positions on the right regulatory framework to facilitate expansion.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to update health costs of noise impacts in Transport Appraisal Guidance.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
TAG, or Transport Analysis Guidance, provides information on the role of transport modelling and appraisal. We keep our guidance and values under review with the aim of ensuring that they are based on the best available evidence and meet the needs of decision makers.
Asked by: Munira Wilson (Liberal Democrat - Twickenham)
Question to the Department for Transport:
To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, whether she plans to establish an independent noise authority.
Answered by Mike Kane - Parliamentary Under-Secretary (Department for Transport)
The Government is committed to a strong aviation noise policy and funds the Civil Aviation Authority to provide noise advisory functions, including provision of best practice on noise mitigation, as well as funding two major noise studies. There are no current plans to establish an independent noise authority.